Killam and Fahey are Selected NWC Athletes of the Week

Achieve NCAA Provisional Qualifying Marks in the 1,500 and Hammer Throw

Carly Killam earned an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 4:39.71 in the 1,500-meter run at the Willamette Opener.

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University distance runner Carly Killam (Sr., Kailua, HI/Punahou HS) has been named Northwest Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, while thrower Melinda Fahey (Salem, OR/McKay HS) has been selected NWC Women's Field Athlete of the Week, for the week ending March 2, 2008. Killam placed second in the 1,500-meter run and Fahey won the hammer throw and discus at the Willamette Opener on Saturday, March 1.

Killam's time of 4:39.71 met the NCAA Division III provisional qualifying standard of 4:40.00. She trailed only Noelle Harer of Oregon State University, who finished first in 4:37.31.

Fahey placed first in the hammer throw with a distance of 153’7” (46.82m). It was also her career best throw (previous 140’4”). The NCAA provisional standard is 46.00m. Fahey also won the discus throw with a toss of 132’6” (40.38m).

The Willamette women’s track and field team has won six consecutive Northwest Conference titles. A total of 17 WU women's athletes have achieved 24 qualifying marks for the 2008 NWC Championships, set for April 18-19 in Newberg, Ore.

Willamette will compete against Western Oregon University in a dual meet on Saturday, March 8. The meet will be held on the WOU campus in Monmouth, Ore.

For More Information:
Neil Patel, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6804